Tour de France race director Christian Prudhomme has lauded the welcome they received in Leeds as the best he had ever experienced.

The biggest bike race on the planet was given a thrilling send off as the city embraced the Tour de Yorkshire spirit.

PIC: Simon Hulme

And Prudhomme, the man who brought the race to Leeds says the welcome he and the Tour de France circus received, was unparalleled in history.

“We are always very welcome everywhere we go but it was very, very special in Leeds and Yorkshire,” said Prudhomme.

“When we landed on Monday evening, La Marseilaise was played for us. It was the first time ever we’ve received that.

“We went through the villages, the towns, the cities and everywhere there were French flags, yellow flags, bunting, even a bicycle painted yellow on a crane at 30 metres high next to Millennium Square.

“It’s unbelievable. This Grand Depart in Leeds has been humongous.

“I have had many dreams about the Tour Grand Départ in Yorkshire but it was greater than a dream.

“When we chose Yorkshire, having the first British rider win the yellow jersey was important but the most important thing was passion. And you have passion. You (the public) are a mirror for what is the Tour.

“For you, you are proud to have had the Tour and we were proud to have had you and Leeds as the Grand Départ.”

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